Originally published: July 18, 2011

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I’ve been writing about cars for about 10 years now and I’ve been an enthusiast for far longer, but I’ve never become an unquestioning fan of any one brand or type of vehicle. Maybe that’s a good thing for an automotive journalist. It was certainly a plus when I happened to find myself in the position of comparing two of today’s hottest German cars on the market, the Audi S4 Quattro and BMW’s 335is Coupe. I was intrigued by how similar these cars were and yet by how different they were. It was a bit of a puzzle.

Let’s look at the similarities; both are German designs, both are made in Germany, both are high-performance versions of their model, both are fuelled by gasoline, both seat four comfortably, both had forced-induction 3.0-litre engines, both have sport seats, and so on. So how is it that they have such distinctly different personalities?

Design:

The 2011 Audi S4 is based on the popular A4 sedan, so it has four doors.

The 335is has two. Except for their hyper-performance R8s, Audi keeps its exterior styling firmly in the conservative camp. No weird headlights or massive wings, in fact without the subtle red slash badging, the S4 looks remarkably like the A4.

Audi was the first to add LED driving lights and they still remain a signature detail. The S4’s front end is dominated by the large egg-crate grille and a pair of projector driving lamps mounted low to the road. It has quadruple tailpipes, and a slight hint of a rear spoiler is formed on the trailing edge of the trunk-lid. That’s it besides a great looking set of alloy wheels.

The BMW 335is Coupe is more aggressive and blatant about its performance level. The signature twin kidney grilles are finished in gloss black instead of the usual chrome. The same can be said for the twin exhaust tips at the rear. Even the window trim is blacked out. Below the grilles lies a large secondary opening very similar to the M-series, an intercooler lurks inside. Oddly, the 335is does not have auxiliary driving lights. All of the 335 models share the same exterior sheet metal, but the 335is sits lower over the wheels adding to an already racy look. The hood carries a power-dome bulge to hint at horsepower waiting below.

At the rear, the Coupe has no spoiler at all, but look below the bumper and you will find some air outlets and a black air diffuser with vertical strakes that help maintain air velocity, reduce pressure, and therefore help prevent lift over the rear axle.

From the outside, the BMW looks faster than the Audi S4.

Open the door and the Audi S4 hits you with some of the finest interior design in the automotive world.

It’s a blend of carbon-fibre, satin aluminum and soft leather. The controls and gauges on the dash and centre console stack are so well integrated that they look like sculptures. Illuminated by the Audi traditional red, this is a serious place and speed is the name of the game. Unfortunately the ergonomics takes a back seat to the style and controls are placed where they look good rather than where logic would expect them to be.

There’s nothing wrong with the BMW 335is’s interior design. BMW has one of the best, but the 335is doesn’t look any different than all the other BMW interiors. The 335is is a higher ‘M’ performance model and does get an M Sport steering wheel, M door sills and M driver’s footrest, but it deserves something a bit more overtly sporty. On the plus side, the controls for the radio and HVAC are very traditional and easy to find without taking your eyes off the road.

Both cars have exceptionally comfortable seats that hold you in place at the upper limits. As well, both cars have clear and concise gauges that can be read with a glance.

Performance:

The heart and soul of these cars are under the hood. The Audi S4’s engine, the 3.0 TF-SI, is supercharged. The V6 serves 333 horsepower and 324.53 foot-pounds of torque together with a fuel consumption of just 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres with S-tronic. The sedan sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

The BMW 335is is powered by a twin-turbocharged inline-six, which also displaces 3.0-litres and features allaluminum construction. The engine employs special DME software, contributing to an increased output of 320 horsepower and 332 foot-pounds of torque. Through the use of temporary overboost in certain circumstances, the engine will produce up to 370 foot-pounds of torque (horsepower remains at 320). The Coupe can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, virtually the same result as the Audi.

The drivelines after the motors reveal different design philosophies, the Audi’s Quattro AWD and BMW’s traditional rear-wheel drive. The Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic shifts gears within hundredths of a second; the sport differential distributes power actively and variably between the rear wheels while cornering at high speeds.

The Audi drive select system enables the driver to alter the mode of operation of the engine, the S-tronic and the sport differential as desired. Dynamic steering and adaptive damper control round out the package.

The BMW’s optional sevenspeed DCT drives only the rear wheels but returns a more visceral driving sensation and the ability to oversteer the car.

Driving/utility:

The Audi S4 can be arguably the more practical choice for use by, let’s say, a Montreal business person. You have four doors to conveniently take clients to dinner or the airport.

The Quattro all-wheel drive is a fabulous system in winter weather. It is also the reason that a driver looking for the ultimate driving experience may choose the BMW 335is. The technological marvel by Audi takes the edge off the S4 at all but highly illegal speeds. It can feel too secure.

The 335is can feel just a wee bit dangerous, like a gun that could go off, but it is exciting.

The car can be made to get a little loose coming out of a corner and the tires can be spun if you’re feeling particularly petulant and want to prove your horsepower superiority at a stoplight.

Silly and immature it may be and you don’t have to do it, but you could if you really wanted to. The Audi remains calm and in control at all times.

The Audi S4 and the BMW 335is Coupe are both listed at $58,800.

Both of these cars are at the top of their game, both return exhilarating driving when taken to their higher limits and both are aimed directly at each other as competition. Is one really better than the other?

That’s like asking if vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate … on a hot day they’re both a tasty treat no matter your flavour preference.